Designed for people

Effective design solutions for optimum functionality, comfort, and aesthetics enhances work performance.

The only important thing about design is how it relates to people. Victor Papanek - Designer

Workplace Strategies set the functional requirements that are then materialized through interior design, and if applied effectively and consistently, lead to a higher productivity. Performance can be enhanced by:

Providing comfortable ambient conditions by enabling individual control and adjustment of environmental parameters and by reducing health and safety risks.
Promote positive affective functioning, psychological engagement, and personal control. Different moods create the affective context for thought processes and behaviours and are directly tied to motivation.
Implementing best practices in workplace design.

Key parameters of biophilic design

Density needs to be balanced according to function and intensity of use. A low density gathering space feels deserted, while in an open work area, users should be able to see many of their colleagues in direct proximity when seated, but not feel crowded.
It is essential to ensure views and natural light through windows for all permanent work spaces to reduce the perception of crowding. Open spaces should be at the perimeter and enclosed ones at the centre to avoid blocking natural light.
Lighter, brighter spaces, as well as rooms with high ceilings, are perceived as more generous and comfortable.
Avoid monotonous and serial repetition of workplace design solutions, and interrupt their rhythm by changing furniture configurations, adding plants, screens, or phone booths.

See The right proportion

Choice

The Workplace Strategy defines the right mix of workplace typologies as required.
Provide a variety of work settings in the right proportion to support a range of work functions.
Provide technology headsets, sound masking, and white noise that allows workers to perform focused work when necessary.
Integrate technology solutions in design, allowing always for flexibility and future change.

Level of privacy

Enclosed, quiet, spaces to promote focus and deep thinking or hold confidential conversations in a distraction-free setting.
In open work areas, provide desks with low screens just above mouth height to muffle noise and provide a degree of privacy.
Permeable screens strategically placed are a subtle way of zoning and provide some enclosure within the open work area.

Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort is a key factor. The temperature for office environment is defined in the K-18 Sustainability directive to optimize energy consumption.
Provide operable windows and/or operable windows for user control of airflow, and temperature control.
Avoid direct solar radiation by providing external shading.
Manually operated inner curtains-blinds should be included for optimum comfort.
Consider cultural, climate-driven perception differences when designing for thermal comfort.

Indoor air quality

Ensure effective ventilation and optimized fresh air supply and humidity levels, while avoiding drafts.
Locate kitchenettes and microwaves in enclosed areas properly ventilated by natural and mechanical systems to prevent the diffusion of offensive food odours.
If a microwave is required in an open coffee point, it should be contained in a cabinet and only be used for heating odourless drinks.
Avoid materials with toxic Volatile Organic Compounds because of their negative impact on indoor air quality.

Access to nature, views, and daylight

Organize the floorplan to maximize natural light penetration into the space.
Give shared spaces priority for pleasant views.
Use glass partitions to avoid blocking natural light.
Provide outdoor areas for employee use and encourage them to go outside for breaks in favourable climate conditions.
Provide glare protection at windows.

Human factors and ergonomics

Functional needs should be driven by Workplace Strategy, such as:

Providing different types of furniture to promote change of positions, e.g., high tables for standing, lounge chairs for reclining, or soft seating options etc.
Consider height adjustability in desk sharing areas.
Adjustable ergonomic chairs are key.

Colour

Use colour strategically to promote desired behaviours and feelings based on known psychological reactions, not personal preference.
Vary colour use through the workplace with a clear concept.
Do not use colour or pattern changes on the floor to identify circulation.
Apply colour to define the character of space.
Use lighter colours to reflect light and increase the amount of natural light.

Noise control

Designers recommend three strategies for achieving a non-intrusive level of speech privacy:

Absorption: through acoustic ceiling, fabrics, and carpet.
Blocking: through furniture systems, panels, walls, partitions, and screens.
Covering: sound masking.

The acoustic strategy or strategies to be used should be driven by the specifications and according to user needs and design solutions. Acoustic calculations during design phase must ensure design to meet optimum performance.

Try to separate energetic, centralized, and noisy spaces from quiet areas. Create opportunities for people to come together without disturbing colleagues.

Acoustic ceiling

Maintain the maximum ceiling height possible to enhance the perception of openness.
Prioritise an acoustic solution that guarantees visual continuity.
The joint between panels can be used to install general lighting.

Acoustic flooring

It is advisable to choose natural or tactile materials for the floor that absorb noise, providing both acoustic performance and a comfortable environment.
Use carpet in circulation areas adjacent to open office area.

Wall acoustic finishes

These should be applied to the entire surface of a wall. Use monochrome colour and material for neutral and elegant aesthetics.
Acoustic panels should be plain or have a simple texture, avoid customized or fancy 3D shapes.

Movable screens

Limit movable walls to spaces with high flexibility levels, paying special attention to acoustic performance.

Furniture

Furniture with upholstery help create a warmer atmosphere, while being additional sound absorbing resources.
Follow Roche guidelines for textures, colours, patterns and shapes.

Acoustic curtains

Curtains made of absorbent fabric offer additional comfort for enclosed spaces with high performance requirements.

Curtains can also be used around flexible informal meeting areas within open spaces to preserve the feeling of space.

Vegetation

Plants can create an effective visual barrier to define informal areas within open space, offering light acoustic separation.

Don’t

Avoid creating patterns with suspended acoustic panels, stick to plain geometry without colour contrast or use baffles. The use of hexagonal shapes is specifically prohibited since it contradicts our brand logo policy.
Don't use decorative acoustic tiles, sound absorbing fabric patches, or customized shapes.
Avoid cubicles. Panels may be used, but they should not completely enclose areas.

Key to Designed for people

Layout should provide space adjacencies for optimum functionality, according to Workplace Strategy.
Design solutions that provide the right level of privacy, light, acoustic, and thermal comfort, based on space requirements, as defined in the project performance specifications.